Belgium vs Sweden: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

A victory over Sweden will cement Belgium's qualification

Group F leaders Belgium have secured their spot at Euro 2024 and will host Sweden in Brussels on Monday. While Belgium are preparing for the upcoming finals, Sweden must win and hope Austria falters in Azerbaijan. Belgium clinched their qualification with a 3-2 win over Austria, with Lukaku scoring a crucial third goal.

Belgium leads the group with 16 points, 10 points ahead of Sweden, in the 2024 Euro Qualifiers. Under their new coach Domenico Tedesco, Belgium has won six of their first seven matches. Sweden, on the other hand, has struggled and needs a significant turnaround, especially since they lost to Belgium 3-0 in their earlier fixture.

Sweden's path to the Euros is uncertain, and they may need a playoff spot if Austria wins in Baku. The pressure is on coach Janne Andersson to salvage the situation. Missing out on the Euros for the first time since 1996 looms as a possibility, and not a good one by any means.

Kick-off

Monday, 16th October 2023, 7:45 PM GMT

Tuesday, 17th October 2023, 12:15 AM IST

Location: Stade Roi Baudouin

Form

Belgium (in all competitions): W-D-W-W-W-W

Sweden (in all competitions): W-W-L-W-L-W

Players to watch for in Belgium vs Sweden

Jeremy Doku (Belgium)

The 21-year-old Belgian, Jeremy Doku has already given glimpses of his prowess with Manchester City. He has managed to light the Premier League with his nimble footwork and pace. But the Belgian Red Devils had been seeing for some time now. Doku already has two assists in the five Qualifiers that he featured in. And, the threat looms around him and the attack.

Dejan Kulusevski (Sweden)

In-form Tottenham Hotspur star, Dejan Kulusevski has shown that his consistent performances extend to his national side as well. Three G/A in five qualifying games, if anything Dejan has been pushing the side. He would look to hold Belgium defenders by the scruff of their neck, as the Swedes try to salvage something out of the game.

Match facts for Belgium vs Sweden

• The two teams have a long-standing rivalry in world football, having met on 15 different occasions since 1906.
• With 4-consecutive wins, four clean sheets, and an unbeaten run in the last 5 matches against Sweden, Belgium is looking confident of repeating the same.

Injury and team news for Belgium vs Sweden

Belgium's coach, Domenico Tedesco, faces some challenges for the upcoming match after securing a spot in Euro 2024. Amadou Onana is suspended, Leandro Trossard and Ameen Al-Dakhil are out with injuries, and Koen Casteels is sick. Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois are also unavailable. Matz Sels is likely to start as the goalkeeper.

Arthur Vermeeren, a teenage midfielder, might play again, and it's uncertain if Romelu Lukaku will be rested. Sweden is back to full strength with Gyokeres, Kulusevski, Lindelof, and Olsen returning. Isak Hien and Jesper Karlstrom are excluded, and Alexander Isak is injured.

Head-to-head

Matches: 15

Belgium: 9

Sweden: 4

Draws: 2

Predicted lineup Belgium vs Sweden

Belgium (4-3-3)

Sels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Tielemans, Mangala, Vermeeren; Lukebakio, Lukaku, Doku

Sweden (4-4-2)

Olsen; Wahlqvist, Lindelof, Lagerbielke, Augustinsson; Kulusevski, Ekdal, K. Olsson, Karlsson; Claesson, Gyokeres

Match prediction for Belgium vs Sweden

There is a very slim possibility, if any, that Sweden comes out of a point out of this. Victory seems too far-fetched at the moment, but not out of the question. However, we predict the Belgian Red Devils to take all three points in front of their home crowd.

Prediction: Belgium 2 - 1 Sweden

Telecast details for Belgium vs Sweden

India – SonyLiv, Sony Sports Network

UK – Viaplay Sports

US –  Fox Sports

Nigeria – Supersport